In the present case, the ED had registered a case under now defunct Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) against Mallya.

The agency had issued summons under Section 40 of the FERA, directing him to appear before the agency in relation to the investigation where it was alleged that Mallya had violated the FERA regulation. (Source: PTI)

A Delhi court has issued a notice to liquor baron Vijay Mallya on the plea of Enforcement Directorate to withdraw the exemption given to him from personal appearance and to issue non-bailable warrant — in connection with a 17-year-old case, where he is facing prosecution for allegedly evading summons in a FERA case.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass sought response of Mallya by May 20 in the matter. “Issue notice to the counsel for the accused (Mallya) for May 20,” the court said. The notice to Mallya comes in connection with the plea, filed through ED’s special prosecutor N K Matta – which said that Mallya presence in the ongoing trial of this case was essential and sought court’s direction to him to remain personally present in every hearing.

ED also told the court to “withdraw the exemption given from personal appearance of the accused and to issue non bailable warrant to secure the presence of the accused in the ongoing trial”. “The accused is reported to be out of country in a separate case of PMLA being investigated by the directorate. The accused has failed to attend the proceedings under PMLA and is reported to be in UK,” the ED plea said.

In the present case, the ED had registered a case under now defunct Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) against Mallya.

The agency had issued summons under Section 40 of the FERA, directing him to appear before the agency in relation to the investigation where it was alleged that Mallya had violated the FERA regulation in connection to a transaction with Flavio Briatore of Benetton Formula Ltd based in London.